Thiruvananthapuram: A state-wide crisis has arisen as the distribution of RC books and driving licenses has come to a standstill for the last two months. The disruption stems from the Motor Vehicles Department’s (MVD) failure to settle payments, prompting the contracted company to suspend services, citing unpaid postal and printing charges. In the state, an eight lakh individuals are awaiting their RC( Registration Certificate) books, with six and a half lakh people anticipating the issuance of their driving licenses.
The printing responsibility was assigned to a company named ITI based in Ernakulam by the Kerala Motor Vehicle Department. However, since November 17, ITI has ceased printing operations due to the non-receipt of contractual payments. The government, which levies Rs 200 along with Rs 40 as postal charges in advance from vehicle owners and license holders for printing plastic cards, faced a crisis when these funds were diverted for other purposes. The Transport Minister claimed that funds had been sanctioned, but the contracted company had yet to resume printing. Additionally, the unavailability of printing cards further complicates the situation.
While the Motor Vehicles Department charges Rs 200 per card, it typically disburses only Rs 60 to the printing company. The government finds itself unable to meet even this reduced payment, leaving citizens in a state of uncertainty regarding the issuance of their driving license and RC documents.
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